Capital: St. Paul

State abbreviation/Postal code: Minn./MN

Governor: Tim Pawlenty, R (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: Carol Molnau, R (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Norm Coleman, R (to Jan. 2009)Amy Klobuchar, D (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 8

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Mark Ritchie, D (to Jan. 2011)

Atty. General: Lori Swanson, D (to Jan. 2011)

State Auditor: Rebecca Otto, D (to Jan. 2011)

Organized as territory: March 3, 1849

Entered Union (rank): May 11, 1858 (32)

Present constitution adopted: 1858

Motto: L'�toile du Nord (The North Star)

State symbols:

Nicknames: North Star State; Gopher State; Land of 10,000 Lakes

Origin of name: From a Dakota Indian word meaning �sky-tinted water�

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Minneapolis, 372,811; St. Paul, 275,150; Rochester, 94,950; Duluth, 84,896; Bloomington, 81,164; Plymouth, 69,701; Brooklyn Park, 68,550; St. Cloud, 65,792; Eagan, 63,665; Coon Rapids, 62,417

Land area: 79,610 sq mi. (206,190 sq km)

Geographic center: In Crow Wing Co., 10 mi. SW of Brainerd

Number of counties: 87

Largest county by population and area: Hennepin, 1,119,364 (2005); St. Louis, 6,226 sq mi.

State forests: 58 (nearly 4 million ac.)

State parks: 72

Residents: Minnesotan

2005 resident population est.: 5,132,799

2000 resident census population (rank): 4,919,479 (21). Male: 2,435,631 (49.5%); Female: 2,483,848 (50.5%). White: 4,400,282 (89.4%); Black: 171,731 (3.5%); American Indian: 54,967 (1.1%); Asian: 141,968 (2.9%); Other race: 65,810 (1.3%); Two or more races: 82,742 (1.7%); Hispanic/Latino: 143,382 (2.9%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 73.8; 65 and over: 12.1; median age: 35.4.

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